Giving or Given? When to Use Each (Clear Guide + Real Examples)

Have you ever hesitated before writing a message or scheduling a meeting, wondering whether to say “giving” or “given”? You’re not alone. These two forms of the same verb can cause confusion even among fluent English speakers—especially in business communication, project management, or formal writing, where clarity and tone matter. Whether you’re preparing a presentation, managing your calendar, or crafting a professional email, knowing when to use “giving” versus “given” can make your message sound polished and grammatically correct.

In this article, we’ll break down the difference between “giving” and “given”, explain how each fits into different grammar contexts, and show you how to use them naturally in both US and UK English. You’ll also learn how subtle word choices can affect consistency, tone, and flow in everything from online booking confirmations to broadcasting scripts and meeting notes. Whether you follow the APA, Chicago, or Oxford style guide, mastering this small but powerful distinction will help you write with confidence, precision, and professional flair.

Quick Answer: When to Use Giving vs Given

When you need an instant shortcut, rely on this cheat sheet.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	When to Use	Natural Example
Giving	Verb / Gerund	Showing an action in progress	Ongoing action or an activity	She is giving her time to help others.
Given	Past participle / Adjective	Completed action or a condition	Something already done, or assumed true	He was given an award.Given the weather, let’s stay inside.

Simplest rule:

• Use giving when someone is doing something right now.
• Use given when something already happened or is assumed.

Understanding “Giving” (Meaning, Rules, and Real Uses)

Use giving when you want to talk about an action happening now, continuing over time, or functioning as a noun (gerund).

Giving Meaning in Simple Words

Giving means presently offering, providing, or donating something.

Grammar Function

• Present participle of give
• Gerund acting as a noun

Think of it as a word full of motion. It shows movement and activity.

When to Use “Giving”

Use giving when:

• An action is in progress
• Describing someone’s behavior or generosity
• Talking about ongoing charity or support
• A noun replaces the act of offering

Examples in daily life

You hear these sentences all the time:

• She is giving her speech now.
• They keep giving great advice.
• Giving back to the community matters.
• He loves giving gifts to his friends.
• I feel good when I’m giving my time to others.

Notice how each sentence feels alive and in the moment.

Business and Professional Examples

• Our team is giving feedback on the proposal.
• The manager is giving a presentation at 3 PM.
• Giving strong customer support builds loyalty.

Academic Writing Examples

• Giving students equal opportunities improves outcomes.
  
• Giving more context helps readers understand complex topics.
  

Common Errors With “Giving”

Incorrect	Correct	Why
He gives money to charity.	He is giving money to charity.	Needs helping verb “is.”
I’m giving an exam tomorrow.	I am giving my exam tomorrow.	Requires “am” + sounds more natural with “my exam.”
Give me the book.	Give me the book.	The imperative form needs “give.”

A Quick Tip to Remember

If you can add is, am, are, was, were before the word, you probably want giving.

Examples:

• She is giving…
• We are giving…
• I am giving…

If this sounds natural, you’re using the right word.

Understanding “Given” (Meaning, Rules, and Practical Uses)

Given lives on the opposite side of the timeline. Use it when something already happened or when circumstances are assumed.

Given Meaning in Simple Words

Given means already provided, granted, or accepted as true.

Grammar Function

• Past participle of give
• Adjective meaning “considering” or “assuming”

When to Use “Given”

Use given when:

• An action has been completed
• Something was provided by someone else
• You describe a known fact or assumption
• Creating conditions (similar to “because” or “considering”)

Examples in Daily Life

• I was given this watch by my grandfather.
• He has given all he can.
• Given the time, we should leave soon.
• Given her experience, she deserved the promotion.

Professional and Academic Examples

• The students were given clear instructions.
• Given the data, the results support our conclusion.
• He was given authority to sign the documents.

Common Errors With “Given”

Incorrect	Correct	Why
He is given money every day.	He gets money every day.	“Is given” sounds too formal for daily routine.
Given to me the file.	Give me the file.	Wrong structure.
I have gave it.	I have given it.	“Given” pairs with “have/has.”

Memory Shortcut

If the action is finished, choose given.
Think: “It was already given.”

Giving vs Given: Spot the Difference Fast

The biggest difference:

Giving = action happening now
Given = action already completed or assumed

Key Difference Table

Feature	Giving	Given
Action status	Ongoing	Completed
Used as	Verb / Gerund	Past Participle / Adjective
Typical helper verbs	am, is, are	has, have, was, were
Example	He is giving advice.	He has given advice.

Examples Side by Side

Context	Correct Usage
Talking about current action	She is giving a lecture right now.
Talking about past action	She was given an award last year.
Noun (activity)	Giving to charity feels good.
Condition phrase	Given the situation, we should act fast.

Sentence Transformations (See the Difference)

Using Giving	Using Given (changed form)
She is giving her time.	She has given her time.
We are giving feedback.	We have given feedback.
They love giving gifts.	They have given many gifts.
He keeps giving excuses.	He has given too many excuses.
Giving help matters.	She was given help when she needed it.

Common Expressions With Each

Expressions With Giving

• giving back
• giving up
• giving it your best
• giving someone a chance
• giving a speech
• giving support

Examples:

• Giving up is not an option.
• She keeps giving her best in every project.

Expressions With Given

• given that
• given the circumstances
• given a choice
• given permission
• given a chance

Examples:

• Given the choice, I would travel more.
• Given his talent, he will go far.

Case Studies: How Real People Use These Words

Case Study: Workplace Communication

Situation: A manager describing a project update.

Incorrect:
We have been giving tasks and the work was given to the team.

Correct:
We have been giving tasks to team members and the work has been given to the right departments.

Why it matters:
Clear communication builds trust and prevents confusion at work.

Case Study: Student Writing an Essay

Incorrect:
Giving students extra time helps. Giving the exams early is helpful too.

Correct:
Giving students extra time helps them focus. Given the stress of exams, support is essential.

Why it matters:
Strong grammar improves grades and clarity.

Case Study: Customer Service Email

Incorrect:
We are given your request and will respond soon.

Correct:
We have received your request and are giving you a response shortly.

Why it matters:
Polished writing reflects professionalism.

Read More: Finger in the Dike – Meaning, Origin, Usage & Real Examples

Practice Exercises

Try these to test yourself.

Fill in the Blank

Use giving or given:

• She is ___ her best effort today.
• He was ___ a scholarship.
• ___ the time, we must hurry.
• I enjoy ___ gifts to friends.
• They have ___ us permission.

Answers

• giving
• given
• Given
• giving
• given

Fix the Sentence

Rewrite correctly:

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Form
He giving too many excuses.	He is giving too many excuses.
The trophy was giving to the winner.	The trophy was given to the winner.
I like given gifts.	I like giving gifts.
Given him everything.	Give him everything.
They have giving support.	They have given support.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the main difference between “giving” and “given”?

“Giving” is the present participle of “give,” used to describe an ongoing action (e.g., She is giving a presentation). “Given” is the past participle, used to describe something that has already been provided or assigned (e.g., He was given an award).

2. Can “given” be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes. “Given” can start a sentence when used as a preposition meaning considering or in light of. For example: Given the tight deadline, we’ll need to extend the meeting. It’s common in formal writing and business communication.

3. Is there a regional difference between US and UK usage?

Not significantly. Both US and UK English use “giving” and “given” in the same grammatical way. However, writing style may differ slightly depending on style guides—for instance, the APA (US) tends to favor direct phrasing, while the Oxford (UK) style may allow more complex sentence structures.

4. When should I use “giving” in professional or business writing?

Use “giving” when describing a current or continuous action—like giving feedback, giving access, or giving time. It’s ideal for emails, meeting notes, and project updates where you want to emphasize what’s happening now.

5. How can I remember when to use “given”?

Think of “given” as something that’s already done or decided. It’s useful when describing facts, permissions, or conditions—like Given your schedule, we’ll book another timeslot. Associating it with past or fixed situations helps you remember its correct usage.

Conclusion

To sum it up, knowing when to use “giving” and “given” isn’t just about grammar—it’s about clarity and professionalism. The right choice helps you express time, action, and responsibility accurately, whether you’re writing a formal report, updating your project management notes, or sending a business email. By understanding how these forms work in both US and UK English, you’ll strengthen your overall writing consistency and make every message sound confident and precise.

So next time you’re drafting a message or scheduling a meeting, pause for a moment and think about your word choice. With a clear grasp of English usage and a bit of practice, you’ll naturally pick the correct form—ensuring your communication remains smooth, professional, and easy to follow.

Your Turn — Practice Makes Perfect

Write three sentences with giving
Write three with given

Example starter:

• I am giving…
  
• She has given…
  

Drop them below if you’d like feedback and corrections.